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From left, Dr. Brian Pope and Dr. Larry Bowman check out the knee of a Clemson athlete. “Sprains and strains are the most common injuries, but knee and shoulder injuries are most common for surgery,” Bowman said.

Athletes across the country would agree. There is nothing like competing for a victory or being part of a team.

The camaraderie is unrivaled and the spirit of the sport is enough to get anyone going.

For the physicians and physician assistants from Blue Ridge Orthopaedics (BRO) and the athletic trainers from Clemson Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (CSMR), they too believe strongly in the spirit of the sport and more importantly, the kids who play them.

That’s why, for 25 years, the staff has been donating their time to the betterment of student athletes, making sure their safety and health are of the utmost importance.

When Larry Bowman began BRO in 1981, he was reminded that in this state, and many others, there just isn’t enough funding for athletic trainers and timely medical assistance for injured players.

“While working at Penn State University, I worked on the sidelines a lot,” Bowman said. “I really enjoyed helping the injured players.”

And when he moved back close to his alma mater, Clemson University, he saw a major need to get back on our local sidelines.

“I was surprised to see such a lack of immediate treatment when it came to athletics,” he added. “It wasn’t uncommon for officials to ask if there was a physician in the stands to come help, or if a player had a parent who was a doctor, they would rush down to assist. That was the extent of it.”

Today, that couldn’t be further from the truth, as a collaborative effort between BRO and CSMR has lent itself to having more visibility off and on the field, specifically for student athletes.

“Before, a player could get hurt on a Friday night, but maybe not be seen by a doctor for a week or so,” Bowman said. “During that time, muscles will de-condition and make it very difficult for them to return to the sport safely.”

To help put a stop to that aspect of athletic injury, some of the staff at BRO and CSMR will man a Saturday morning “Bump and Bruise” clinic for football players through the fall.

Currently, full time athletic trainers provided by CSMR are present at Seneca, Pickens and Daniel High Schools and part time coverage at West-Oak, Walhalla and Liberty High Schools. They also have trainers in five schools in Anderson County.

When it comes to sideline coverage, an M.D. remains on call, while trainers and at least one physician or physician’s assistant are on hand at schools extending through Oconee, Pickens and Anderson counties.

“I can tell you as a parent of boys playing sports, it means a lot to know that they are there or close by to immediately help with an injury on the field,” said Jo Stokes, administrator for BRO.

But the overwhelming urge to help student athletes doesn’t come down to bonuses or other privileges.

“We do this because we enjoy working with them. We enjoy getting them better so they can get back out there,” Bowman said.

And Holly Gerkin, athletic trainer, couldn’t agree more.

“The most rewarding aspect of my position isn’t the number of wins, although it makes the sidelines more enjoyable,” she said. “It’s watching the senior athlete who was injured during a lay-up in the junior year and make it through an ACL repair. It is the senior athlete that gains a scholarship, even after an almost career ending ankle sprain. Without a doubt, it is the joy of watching these athletes overcome odds against them to return to what they love doing.”

In addition, the sports medicine outreach program has also provided annual and pre-participation physicals for all Pickens, Anderson and Oconee County athletes, requiring payment of a small fee, all of which is donated back to the schools for upgrades and supplies for their training rooms.

“We’re happy to be able to provide these athletes with the help they need while competing,” Bowman concluded.

For more information, visit call 482-6000.

jsibley@dailyjm.com | 864-882-2375